By Cletus Asuquo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike across state-owned universities in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Ebonyi states.
This is due to the failure of the affected state governments to implement the 2020 Federal Government/ASUU agreement, including the payment of outstanding allowances.
The union issued the warning on Wednesday during a press conference held at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Calabar.
Speaking on behalf of the zone, the ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Ikechuku Igwenyi, accused the governments of the four states of deliberately refusing to implement the agreement despite being represented during the negotiations that culminated in its signing.
Igwenyi said the agreement, which took effect from January 2026 after it was signed on December 23, 2025, provides for a 40 per cent increase in the Consolidated Academic and Research Allowance, Earned Academic Allowances, Professorial Allowance and other welfare packages.
According to him, while implementation has commenced in federal universities and some state-owned institutions across the country, universities within the Calabar Zone have yet to begin implementation, with only Abia State showing commitment to complying with the agreement.
He warned that unless the affected governments immediately implement the agreement and settle all outstanding entitlements, the union would have no option but to embark on a “total, comprehensive and indefinite strike.”
“The refusal of state governments to implement this agreement is a direct assault on the welfare of our members and a betrayal of the education sector. Our patience should not be mistaken for weakness,” Igwenyi said.
He also expressed solidarity with members of ASUU at UNICROSS, who, according to him, have been on strike for about three weeks over the non-implementation of the agreement, non-payment of full salaries, withheld check-off dues, cooperative deductions, National Housing Fund contributions, promotion arrears and other outstanding welfare issues.
The ASUU leader lamented that lecturers in the affected state universities continue to suffer the impact of rising inflation despite rendering essential services.
He argued that lecturers in state-owned universities deserved the same treatment as their counterparts in federal institutions, insisting there was no justification for denying them benefits contained in the nationally negotiated agreement.
Igwenyi called on the governors of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Ebonyi states, as visitors to their respective state-owned universities, to immediately implement the agreement and clear all outstanding salary arrears, allowances and third-party deductions owed to academic staff.
He also appealed to governing councils, university managements, state legislatures, parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to urge the affected governments to avert a prolonged disruption of academic activities.
According to him, failure to address the issues promptly would leave the union with no alternative but to withdraw its services indefinitely until all agreements are fully implemented.
